When I took over from Andrew Heenan as the clinical editor of Nursing Times in 1993, one of his best bequests was the telephone number of Laurence Dopson. In those pre-Google days, Laurence was the one to tell you what the average pay settlement had been for nurses in any given year, or what the relevant piece of legislation was that you needed. All of this information came off the top of his (apparently limitlessly stuffed) head. Laurence was always generous with his time, and discussions with him often led to ideas for new features. I regret that I never had the chance to buy him a pint or three.